6 October 2005

The government enters the second stage of an initiative to improve the online security for transactions between public bodies.

Government Connect is the result of collaborations between central and local government and is aimed at created a more "joined-up" government.

The programme is now entering phase two of its development and will be aiming to launch a variety of services to almost 200 councils by the end of next year and to all local authorities by the end of 2007.

The Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council is leading the programme and "phase two" was launched in Bolton this week.

Speaking at the launch, minister for local e-Government, Jim Fitzpatrick said: "It is a real partnership between local and central government, making use of a common infrastructure to support our vision of efficient, personalised, customer-focussed services."

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also just agreed to underwrite part of the cost of providing IT infrastructure for the development of Government Connect.

© Adfero Ltd

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